I was reminded this weekend of this talk. I was thinking in the shower how I must become more intentional and proactive toward proclaiming the good news because I live in a bubble. I work at a Christian school where the staff are believers, I attend seminary, church is my life (community, ministry, involvement) etc. It's more than just proclaiming him on social networks. I live in a lost world, I must GO out even more because of my context. It hasn't always been like this and I could engage my unbelieving brother or sister more fluidly but now I feel challenged even more.
Below is from a 'talk' that I had to do, that I ended up not doing because it got cancelled. The task was to speak on Anna and how she was as "true witness."
Text: Luke 2:36-38
Context: Luke of the synoptic gospels was written in a form of letter that really sheds light on the details and facts surrounding Jesus. Luke was a physician, so the examining of details and logic was probably the personality and approach of his authorship. Little, sweet, baby Jesus : ) has been born and as a Jewish custom, “according to the Law of Moses,” they were to present their newborn to the Lord and offer a sacrifice. Jesus had been presented to the Lord in the temple and Anna was also present. The promised had been fulfilled! God had done exactly what He had promised to His people, to Anna’s father Phanuel, to The tribe of Asher, her ancestors!! The Son of God had come to reconcile them to God!
· What were they waiting on? What is it like apart from God? We see in the Old Testament this saga of up and down disobedience, restoration, call to repentance, repentance, God being merciful, still offering Hope and then they turn away….JUST the RESULTS of SIN! “Everyone did what was right in their own eyes”
1. Judges 2:16-23
2. Isaiah 8:16-17; 9:2,6-7
3. Jeremiah 29:12-14
4. Lamentations 5:1-22
Message: So you can see what the Hype is about? Luke 2:38—“she began to give thanks to God and to speak of him to ALL who were waiting for the redemption of Jerusalem.” She was part of that ALL. I can imagine her in the temple seeing the scriptures being consummated and filled with wonder and awe. She then closes her eyes picturing the glorious God and Creator of the Universe, humbling himself and is now this little sweet child. Cuts to Him preaching and telling the people the message of salvation. Her vision then cuts to Him being beaten, persecuted and ultimately crucified. She’s tormented until she views the resurrection, Him rising with all power in His hands with righteousness and justice for All. Seeing her sins nailed to the Cross, hoping in eternal life and finally being able to worship the King. (Which was approaching…because she was old..."wearing dentures old" I presume) And then that VERY HOUR she’s goes and tells people about the Savior…Her Savior.
Anna had a motive and a purpose. ORGANIC…flowed out of the natural response to this wonderful “event” and her new “position” (justification, salvation). Again, this is not a character sermon: "Be Like Anna. Do this, to be like Anna." But the reference to Anna in this text shows us the goal and posture of a believer…which all points back to the person and work of Jesus Christ.
- Motive—The Gospel was her motivation. Anna was so in love with Christ and understood the great implication of seeing that little baby being presented at the temple toward fulfilling the covenant that God promised his people…his church. This compelled her to tell of His wonderful news. This motivation should be the force behind serving Him and serving this world. You know to “Witness” I.E. Ministries of Compassion can easily turn into works-righteousness.
1. II Corinthians 5:14-21
Commonplace—right where she was; purpose as a woman…Helper, life-giver---discipling women
2. Proverbs 31:8-9, Isaiah 1:17, Hebrews13:1-3,
- Purpose---Catechism: The chief end of man is to glorify God and adore Him forever.
- The Hebrew word for glory is “Kavod;Kabod” meaning weight. Anna knew the value of Jesus. We can see in our lives what we give value to which is what we ultimately give glory too. I.e. time, money, where we spend our time+ usually we’ll see that our purposes are to show glory to ourselves. (See Pastor Gay's Selfish Ambition Sermon).
A.W. Tozer “Sometimes I go to God and say, "God, if Thou dost never answer another prayer while I live on this earth, I will still worship Thee as long as I live and in the ages to come for what Thou hast done already. " God’s already put me so far in debt that if I were to live one million millenniums I couldn’t pay Him for what He’s done for me. (Worship: The Missing Jewel, 24).”
Anna's purpose was to proclaim the gospel not anything aside for that. I Corinthians 2:2 “For I decided to know nothing among you except Jesus Christ and Him crucified. (Paul said I didn’t come in lofty speech or wisdom, but fear trembling…but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power that your faith might not rest in the wisdom of men but in the power of God).
*Romans 1:15-6: I am eager to preach the gospel to you also who are in Rome 16: For I am not ashamed of the Gospel for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes to the Jew first and also the Greek.
